"Skinny Genes" is a song performed by British recording artist Eliza Doolittle. The song serves as her debut single and first single from her debut album, Eliza Doolittle. The track was co-written by Doolittle in collaboration with Tim Woodcock and the song's producer Matthew Prime. "Skinny Genes" was one of three tracks where Doolittle had worked with Prime and Woodcock for her debut album. The single was officially released on 11 April 2010 by Parlophone Records on digital download-only format, accompanied by a b-side entitled "Police Car" (written by Doolittle and Craigie Dodds[1]). The track is inspired by love-hate relationships and contains prominent indie pop musical characteristics. Lyrically, "Skinny Genes" refers from feminist point of view to how one can dislike all the personality traits of a partner but still enjoy the sexual chemistry one shares with them.

"Skinny Genes" garnered a positive response from contemporary music critics. The song also achieved mainstream success; debuting and peaking at number twenty-two on the UK Singles Chart. The song was accompanied by a 70s and 80s-styled music video directed by Daniel Eskills and released on 25 December 2009. Doolittle performed the single live at London Fashion Week and on the British television stations GMTV and STV. "Skinny Genes" featured in an advert for Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby's Very.

"Skinny Genes" was later re-released on 27 December 2010. A new video was made from the re-release. The track went on to make Radio 1's A-Playlist in the UK in late 2010.[2]

Contents

"Skinny Genes" was the first single from Eliza Doolittle, Doolittle's debut album.[3] Before its official release, "Rollerblades" was originally speculated to be Doolittle's debut single.[4] "Skinny Genes" was later confirmed as her official debut single and was originally planned for release on 29 March 2010.[5] It was then pushed back for release on 5 April.[3] The single was finally pushed back another week and officially released on 11 April 2010 on digital download format only.[6] A planned a CD single release for "Skinny Genes" on 12 April 2010 failed to surface.[7][8]

"Skinny Genes" was mischievously inspired lyrically by an irritating but sexy boy.[9] Doolittle described the song as having very light and happy but thoughtful lyrics, saying: "I think about what I want to say, when I write songs."[9] Leonie Cooper of The Guardian described the song as having "tell-it-like-it-is-lyrics".[5] Doolittle explained "Skinny Genes" to BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq:

The single is something I made up in my head. I just thought it would be quite a funny scenario where you didn't like someone, if they were really annoying, but you had a good time under the sheets.[10]